Finding a nursing home for a loved one can be an emotional and difficult process. Fortunately, there are a number of resources available and steps that an adult child can take to ensure that his or her parents receive the best possible medical care and support, so if you are considering placing your parent in a nursing home, it is important to obtain the advice of an experienced Clinton nursing home attorney who can help you navigate the process.
Types of Long-Term Care
An interested party will want to consider a variety of long-term care options, which may include:
- Assisted living facilities, which can help provide care for seniors who do not require full-time care, but need assistance with dressing, preparing meals, and administering medication;
- Residential care homes, where live-in caretakers provide help with daily activities in a more community-based environment; and
- Independent living communities, which are often a good choice for seniors with few medical conditions.
However, if a senior requires twenty-four hour care, a nursing home may be his or her best option.
Finding the Best Nursing Home for Your Loved One’s Needs
When deciding on an appropriate living arrangement for an elderly or disabled parent, a person should first being looking at nursing homes in the local area. This requires:
- Asking trusted people for recommendations;
- Asking a parent’s physician if he or she provides care at any local nursing homes;
- Contacting the local senior and community activity center;
- Reading online reviews; and
- Speaking to a social worker.
Once a person has created a preliminary list of potential nursing homes, it is important for him or her to continue the research process by:
- Comparing the care provided by potential local nursing homes;
- Visiting each nursing home and speaking with residents;
- Contacting the state health department or licensing agency and requesting information on the quality of care at a particular nursing home; and
- Requesting a copy of each nursing home’s last full survey or last complaint investigation reports.
Once a person has addressed these issues and narrowed down the list of possible nursing homes, he or she may want to obtain more specific information about each residence, including:
- What types of recreational, social, and religious activities are provided by the nursing home staff;
- Whether residents are able to make decisions about their own schedules, including when to wake up, go to sleep, or bathe;
- How often and at what hours residents are able to receive visitors;
- Whether transportation to community activities is provided;
- Whether pets are allowed;
- Whether residents are permitted to decorate their living spaces;
- What the nursing home’s privacy policy entails;
- Whether residents are permitted to leave the nursing home on approved visits;
- The identity of the doctors who provide care for the residents and whether residents are permitted to visit their personal doctors;
- How the staff protects residents who are prone to wandering and confusion;
- The number of staff at the facility and the ratio of residents to staff;
- Whether there is a waiting list;
- What types of therapy are available to residents;
- Whether social workers are available to address the residents’ needs;
- Whether residents have a choice of food items at each meal;
- Whether an interpreter is available to help residents with communication needs;
- What safety measures are taken by the nursing home to ensure a safe environment for residents;
- Whether the nursing home ensures that residents receive preventive healthcare;
- Whether the nursing home and current administrator are licensed;
- Whether the residence meets Medicare and/or Medicaid regulations; and
- The basic fees for a room, meals, and personal care.
If a particular nursing home meets all of these qualifications, a person interested in placing a loved one in the residence should also visit the facility in-person.
Contact a Dedicated Clinton Nursing Home Attorney Today
Deciding where an elderly parent will live after they are no longer able to care for themselves is a stressful and often emotional process. However, making plans for the future is one of the best ways to ensure that a loved one receives the best care possible in his or her twilight years, so if you have questions or concerns about how to choose the best nursing home for your elderly parent, please contact the Joye Law Firm by calling (888) 324-3100 or by completing and submitting one of our standard contact forms and a member of our legal team will help you schedule a free consultation with an experienced nursing home attorney who can help walk you through the process.
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